Dual wheel assembly



Oct. 4, 1938. J. F. HIGBEE DUAL WHEEL ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m m E V m Bslamea F H 'gbee naw/21W ATTORNEYJ.

1938- J. F. HIGBEE DUAL WHEEL ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W 2 QIIIIAV/IAQ e m Oct. 4, 1938. H EE 2,132,029

DUAL WHEEL AS 5 EMBLE Filed ept. 28, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

dames F li/ybee ATTORNEYS.

7 Oct. 4, 1938.

J. HIGB'EE 2,132,029

DUAL WHEEL ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

c/ames Fhgybee ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 4', 1938 UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

My invention relates to dual wheel assemblies wherein each of the wheels is independently rotatable about its supporting spindle and has particular reference to brake mechanism associated with such an assembly.

An object of the invention is to secure an emcient braking action upon .such wheels by providing a separate and improved independent brake for each of the wheels, the said brakes being so constructed that they may be operated substantially simultaneously upon application by the vehicle operator of the brake operating member customarily associated with automotive vehicles.

Another important object of the invention is a the provision of improved braking mechanism associated with the outer of the dualwheels whereby a substantial brakingtorque may be applied therethrough for retarding purposes while at the same time eliminating any possibility of the outer wheel becoming locked and skidding. In this way the hazards normally associated with locked vehicle supporting wheels and the usual skidding resulting therefrom is eliminated.

Still a further object of the invention is to attain all of the advantages inherent in independently rotatable vehicle supporting dual wheels during the braking action. The possibility of providing a single brake or retarding means for the inner wheel and substantially simultaneously operable means for locking the two wheels together for simultaneous retardation of rotation will be apparent, but this invention contemplates the retention of the independently rotatable characteristic of the two wheels during the braking action. That is to say, an important feature of this invention resides in the fact that each of the wheels may continue to rotate independently of one another during the braking action. At the same time a substantial braking torque is being applied through each of the wheels through my improved brake mechanism and the efiectiveness of such braking action is that of two independently rotatable road wheels independently braked. The maximum braking eflort attainable through retardation of the two wheels is produced without the undesirable loss of independence of rotation of the wheels.

More particularly, an object is to provide in a dual wheel assembly of the character described brake friction means associated with each of the independently rotatable wheels. The brake friction means of the inner wheel is responsive to operation by the driver through a remote controi device. The brake friction means associated with the outer wheel includes .brake applying mechanism which is itself responsive to the application of the brake to the inner wheel. This brake applying device which actuates the brake friction means of the outer wheel brake is, in each of the two embodiments, shown as a cam member or element which responds to relative rotation of the inner wheel with respect to the brake drum.

More specifically an object of one embodiment of my invention is the provision of improved brake mechanism for independently rotatable dual wheels wherein the outer wheel isprovided with a' friction disc brake operable to retard rotation of the wheel in response to remote control over theinner wheel brake. In another embodiment the outer wheel is provided with expansible brake shoe mechanism of an improved type and wherein the brakeshoe applying means is responsive to application of the brake to the inner wheel. An important feature is that application of the brake to the inner wheel actuates thrust mechanism which urges the brake friction means of the outer wheel into retarding engagement.

Various other objects and meritorious features of the invention which will be apparent from the 'following description takenin conjunction with the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures and wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a preferred form of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a section through 2-2 of Fig. 1,

. Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating the secondary brake actuating mechanism,

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the camming ring utilized therein, Fig. 5 isa sectional elevation of a modified form of the invention,

Fig. 6 is a section through 6-8 of Fig. 5, and Fig. '7 is a plan of the secondary brake structure shown in Fi 6.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral l0 represents the inner wheel of the dual assembly, with its respective rim, et cetera, and the numeral I2 represents the outer wheel of the dual assembly with its customary rim structure. Bolted to the inner wheel at circumferentially spaced points as indicated at I4 is a ring I6 which includes an offset depending flange IS. The brake drum 2|! associated-with the inner of the dual wheels ishf substantially conventional structure and is bolted as indicated at 22 to an annular element 24, which annular ele-' grally secured thereto through bolts 22 are free to rotate with respect to the inner wheel l8, but such relative rotation is limited as hereinafter described. The inner wheel I8 is rotatably journalled upon the spindle 38 by means of rotary bearings 32.

The outer wheel l2 includes an inwardly ex-.

tending hub portion 34 which is rotatably journalled upon spindle 38 by means of rotary bearings 36. A vertical thrust bearing 38'is posi-' tioned between flange 48 which extends inwardly from the hub 84 and a spacer ring 42 which bears against a second inwardly extending flange 44, which flange 44 is integral with the inner wheel The inner wheel l8 includes an outwardly extending hub portion 48 which is positioned in overlapped or telescoped relation to the hub portion 34 of the outer wheel I2. A hardened steel sleeve 48 is disposed within the hub 46 of the inner wheel and a similar hardened steel sleeve 58 is positioned over the hub 34 of the outer wheel. Sleeve 48 is telescoped over, sleeve 58 and thereby provides substantial bearing surfaces which permit independent rotation. of the two wheel hubs and their respective wheels.

At circumferentially spaced points the inner wheel I8 is provided with arcuate slots 52 (Fig. 2) through which correspondingly arcuate projections 54, integral with the annular element 24, which carries the brake drum 28, extend. These slots 52 are oversize the arcuate projections 54. It may be pointed out at this stage that the limited movement of the projections 54 within the slots 52 upon rotation of the ring 24 relative to the inner'wheel l8 determines the permitted relative rotation of the inner wheel brake drum 28 with respect to the inner wheel l8'with which such drum is associated.

The outer wheel l2 has bolted to the inner side thereof, as indicated at 56, a housing member 58 which overlies the space between the two wheels as clearly indicated in Fig. 1. A packing gland 68 positioned by means of a shoulder 62 extending around the outside of the housing 58 and by 8, flange 6| on inner wheel l8 provides a seal preventing the ingress of dust or dirt into the housing 58. The above described structure resembles generally that shown in my'Patent No. 2,001,875, dated May 21, 1935.

An annular cam ring 64 is bolted to a radially projecting flange 66 (Fig. 1) associated with the hub 46 of the inner wheel l8. This camming ring is provided with .circumferentially spaced apart cam faces 68 (Fig. 3) which cooperate with reversely tapered cam surfaces", which cam surfaces 18 are integral parts of an annular thrust ring 12. This ring I2 is provided with cut away portions 14 (Fig. 4) whereby the said ring 12 is keyed upon the arcuate projections 54 of the ring 24.

The plurality of friction discs 18 and 88 are keyed alternately to the housing 58 carried by the outer wheel l2 and the projections 54 of the ring 24, which ring carries the inner wheel brake drum 28. Discs I8 are keyed as at 18 (Fig. 2) to the housing 58 and discs 88 are keyed as shown in the same figure to the projections 54 2,132,029 of the ring 24. Thesediscs are keyed to their respective supporting parts to rotate'therewith' I while having permitted movement toward and away from each other axially of the wheel assem-.- bly. Certain of these discs, such as disc 18, may be provided on opposite faces with suitable friction facing material 16 as shown in Fig. 1.

A second thrust ring 82 is keyed to the projection 54 at the end of the disc assembly opposite the thrust ring 12. This thrust ring 82 is provided with a plurality of circumferential spaced apart recesses 84 for positioning coil springs 86. The opposite ends of the coil spring bear against an annular thrust plate 88, which thrust plate is likewise connected to the projections 54 abutting the inner wheel l8 as shown in Fig. 1. This thrust ring 82 has permitted movement toward and away from the friction discs. These brake discs 18 and 88 constitute brake friction means for the outer wheel.

The operation of the mechanism will now be set forth. As indicated in Fig. 1 the coil springs 86 are rather heavy and when the brakes are off these springs are not under compression, sufflcient clearance being provided between the friction plates 18 and 88 to avoid any substantialthe drum 28, as soon as the projections-ifhave,

reached the ends of slots 52. During thisrelative rotation between the inner drum and its wheel the cam ring 12 which is keyed to the projections 54 will have rotated a corresponding distance with respect to the cam ring 64 which is secured to the inner wheel. During this relative movement between the rings 12 and 64 the cam faces 18 and 68 riding over each other will urge the ring 12 inwardly to urge the friction discs together and against the resistance of the coil springs 86, thereby retarding the discs 18 which are keyed to the housing 58 and consequently retarding the rotation of the outer wheel l2 to which the housing 58 is secured. It will be seen that the friction discs 18 rotate with the outer wheel and the friction discs 88 and cam ring 12 with the inner wheel brake drum and the cam ring 64 with the inner wheel and frictional compression of said discs tends to equalize such rotation. It is not intended, however, to locksuch outer wheel against rotation.

- It will be apparent that the friction discs 18 and 88 can'only be compressed an amount equal to the maximum camming action which can be secured between the cam faces 68 and 18 of rings 64 and 12 respectively. These faces are so proportioned as to length and camming action that the friction discs will never serve to lock the wheels together for rotation inunison; The

friction discs simply function to create a retarding effect or braking action, short of immobility. on the outer wheel l2 during the time that the inner wheel is being braked through drum 28 in the customary manner. Wear of thefriction facings associated with the friction discs 18 and 88 may be taken up by the insertion of a second ring similar to ring 88 after a determined wear on said facings.

Another form of the dual wheel brake has been illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. In this modification the brake for the outer wheel is embodied in a pair of secondary brake shoes, which brake shoes are expansible against a secondary drum associated with the outer "wheel. The outer wheel and drum are of similar construction to that heretofore described. A certain amount of. wrap of the secondary shoes along with the rotation of the secondary drum is permissible against a yielding resistance.

Referring now to the specific modified structure disclosed, the inner wheel assembly 90, the

inner drum assembly 92, and the outer wheel assembly 94 are substantially the same as the corresponding parts described in the preferred form of Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. The inner drum assembly includes a pair of diametrically opposed arcuate projections 96 extending through slots 98 in the inner wheel. The outer surface of each projection 96 is concaved as indicated at I00 (Fig. 6) to provide a cam seat for a roller I02. These rollers are mounted on pins I04, which pins likewise function to connect the arms I06 and I08 of toggles which connect the adjacent ends of secondary brake shoes IIO.

A secondary. brake drum H2 is secured integrally to the outer wheel 94 as indicated at H4 and the toggle arrangement'hitherto described is adapted to force these secondary shoes IIO radially outwardly against said secondary drum.

Retraction springs II6 are connected to ears -I I8 projecting from the hub portion I20 of the inner wheel assembly and with the shoes 0 to withdraw the shoes upon release of'the brakes following application thereof. The brake shoes I I0 are of channel shape in cross section, the walls I22 of the channel being cut away as indicated at I24 intermediate their ends to provide a notch equal in extent to the distance between the ears I26 projecting radially outwardly from the hub portion I20 of the inner wheel. Coil springs I28 are seated about studs I30, which studs are provided with heads I32 adapted to bear against the aligned ears I26 and 1e cut away portions I24 of the walls of the brake shoes. It will be apparent that these coil springs, while they permit a limited amount of relative rotation between the shoes and the ears I26 of the wheel, function generally to center the shoes with reference to the ears upon release of the brakes.

The operation of this modified form of structure will be apparent. Upon application of the brake friction means 93 to the inner wheel drum 92 there will result a certain amount of relative rotation between the drum 92 and inner wheel as the inner wheel 90 tends to overrun its retarded drum. The secondary brake shoe II 0 of the outer wheel brake being normally centered and positioned with reference to the inner wheel by means of cars I26, relative rotation of the drum 92 with respect to the inner wheel upon overrunning of said drum by the wheel will, through arcuate projections 96, force the toggle arms I06 and I08 outwardly as the roller I02 rides up on the projections 96- Suflicient expansion of the secondary shoes I I0 will have occurred by the time the projections 96 reach the limit of their movement in slots 98 to apply a substantial braking action against the secondary drum. Inasmuch as the secondary shoes are free to wrap to a certain extent with the projections 96, the application of the secondary shoes will never be sufficient to lock the outer drum II2'with respect to the said secondary shoes, thereby insuring continued;., inde- Y pendent rotation of the outer and inner wheels.

At the same time, wear on the friction facings of the secondary shoesis automatically. compensated for by the fact that the rollers I02 can ride further and further out on the cam faces of the projections 96 to apply the secondary shoes. The entire secondary assembly will be released and centered by means of the springs I28 and I I6 upon release of the brakes applied to the inner drum. Both application and release of the brakes associated with each of the respective wheels is substantially simultaneous. In each construction, that ofFigs. 1 to 4 and that of Figs. 5 to 7,.

it will appear that there is a cam element, ring 64 in Fig. 1 and projection 96 in Fig. 6, which in;

response to relative rotation between the inner wheel and its drum actuates thrust means, thrust ring 12 in Fig. 1 and the toggle mechanism in Fig. 6, to thrust the brake friction means of the outer wheel into retarding engagement. Q

Various other modified forms of structure involving the basic ideas herein disclosed will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and I wish for that reasonto be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim: 7

1. In combination with a pair of independently rotatable vehicle supporting dual wheels,

retarding means associated with the inner of said wheels, friction discs arranged intermediate said wheels operable to retard rotation of the outer Wheel, andmeans automatically operable upon retardation of the inner wheel to operate said friction discs.

2. In combination with a pair of independently rotatable vehicle supporting dual wheels, a brake drum associated with the inner wheel to permit slight relative rotation therebetween, friction discs associated with the outer wheel operable to retard rotation of the same, and means operable uponrelative movement of said drum to its respective wheel to compress said friction discs.

3. In combination with a pair of independently rotatable vehicle supporting dual wheels, a brake drum associated with the inner wheel, friction discs positioned by said outer wheel, friction discs interleaved with said first mentioned friction discs positioned by said inner wheeland drum assembly, and means for compressing said friction discs to retard rotation of the outer wheel upon application of retarding means to the inner wheel drum.

4. In combination with a pair of independently rotatable wheels arranged side by side upon a common spindle, a brakedrum associated with the inner wheel, retarding means associated with said drum, interleaved friction discs secured to said outer wheel and inner wheel assembly re-' spectively operable upon compression to retard rotation of said outer wheel.

5. In combination with a pair of independently rotatable dual wheels, a brake drum associated with the inner wheel, a housing associated with the outer wheel and extending axially toward the inner wheel, interleaved friction discs positioned respectively by said housing and the inner wheel and drum assembly, cam mechanism for compressing said discs to secure retardation of said outer wheel.

6. Mechanism of the class described including, in combination, a pair of wheels mounted for independent rotation in juxtaposed relation, one of said wheels provided withsarcuate slots, a brake drum rotatably positioned by said wheel and in- 75 eluding laterally extending members provided.

with cam faces and projecting through said arcuate slots, retarding means associated with the other of'said wheels, and means cooperating with said cam faces operable to actuate said retarding means upon relative movement ofsaid laterally projecting member with reference to theinnerwheel.

7. Mechanism of the class described comprising independently rotatable dual wheels, a brake drum rotatably positioned by one of said wheels,

said wheel provided with arcuate slots, members integral with said brake drum'extendingthrough said slots, ahousing secured to the other wheel and extending in overlapped relation to said members, interleaved friction discs positioned respectiyely by said members and said housing, and a means operable by'said members upon movement of said brake drum with respect to its associated wheel for compressing said discs.

8. Mechanism of-the class described comprising independently rotatable dual wheels, a brake drum rotatably positioned by one of said wheels, said wheel provided with an arcuate slot, a member integral with said brake drum extending through said slot, a housing securedto the other wheel and extending in overlapped relation to said member, interleaved friction discs positioned respectively by said member and said housing, and cam means operable by said member upon movement of said brake drum with respect to its associated wheel for compressing said discs.

9. Mechanism of the class described comprising independently rotatabledual wheels, a brake drum rotatably positioned by one of said wheels;

ber integral with said brake drum extending through saidslot, a housing secured to the other wheel and extending in overlapped relation tov said member, a pair of friction shoes floatingly supported within said housing, a toggle arm connecting the ends of said friction shoes and abutting said member whereby said shoes are 'expanded against said housing upon movement of said member with respect to said toggle.

11. Mechanism of the class described comprising independently rotatable dual wheels, a brake drum rotatably positioned by one of said wheels,-

said wheel provided with a slot, a member integral vwith said brake drum extending through said 'by rotation of said member with respect to its associated wheel expands said friction shoes.

12. In combination with a pair of wheels positioned in juxtaposed relationfor independent rotation, a brake drum rotatably associated with one of said wheels, said wheel having an arcuate slot, a brake actuating member fixed to said drum extending through said slot, said member including a cam surface upon its radially outermost face.

13. Mechanism of the class described including, in combination, a pair of wheels mounted for independent rotation in juxtaposed relation, one of said wheels provided with arcuate slots, a brake drum rotatably positioned by said wheel and including laterally extending members projecting through saidarcuate slots, retarding means associated with the other of said wheels, said projecting members each having a recessed V-shaped cam face, and means engaging each of said cam faces and normally positioned in the 

